New Jersey officials say the latest group of State Police applicants is the most diverse ever.

8,500 applicants are taking the physical qualification test in hopes of getting a spot in the next class at the New Jersey State Police Academy.

Attorney General Jeff Chiesa says 19 percent of the applicants are Hispanic, 15 percent are African-American, and 14 percent are women.

 “In every category our diversity has improved, and I want to thank our community leaders for stepping up to help make this happen. As one of the nation’s most richly diverse states I think it’s essential that we strive to have local, county, and state law enforcement agencies that reflect our state’s diversity.”

Just five African-Americans were in the previous State Police class and only two of them graduated.

About 250 new troopers are expected to graduate next year.

Chiesa says that will help make up for the retirements of veteran troopers.

“We’ll continue to monitor it, to continue to monitor the manpower levels, and to see what steps we need to take in the next budget or in the future budgets so we continue to have the State